Why has the Anti-terrorism Court ordered the arrest of Imran Khan's sister?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Anti-terrorism Court issues warrant for Aleema Khan's arrest.
- Warrant stems from her absence in court regarding PTI protests.
- Legal landscape in Pakistan continues to be politically charged.
- Imran Khan remains imprisoned on serious charges.
- PTI denounces legal actions as politically motivated.
Islamabad, Oct 20 (NationPress) An Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) located in Rawalpindi has instructed the police to apprehend Aleema Khan, the sister of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and present her before the court on October 22. This directive is linked to the protest organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 26 of the previous year.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Aleema Khan due to her repeated absence from court sessions, as reported by Geo News. This ruling follows the indictment of 10 individuals, including Aleema Khan, in connection with the protest.
During the court session on Monday, 10 other defendants were present, and five prosecution witnesses provided their testimonies.
The court also issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Aleema Khan's guarantor, Umer Sharif, and instructed the Pindi deputy commissioner to verify the property documents submitted by him.
The protest on November 26 aimed to pressure the government for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism.
The three-day demonstrations culminated in violence between law enforcement and protesters, resulting in the deaths of at least three Rangers personnel and one police officer.
In September, PTI denounced the filing of another FIR against Aleema Khan, implicating several individuals, including another PTI leader, Naeem Haider Panjutha.
A spokesperson for PTI stated that the FIR was originally filed under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, but later included terrorism charges, which they termed a “shocking abuse of law,” according to Dawn.
“When our members appeared in regular courts, they were forcibly taken to an Anti-Terrorism Court — a clear indication of political victimization and justice system manipulation,” the statement read.
PTI claimed that the case is entirely fabricated, stemming from political retribution. They asserted that the Punjab Police and the provincial government have turned into a source of ‘fake’ FIRs targeting Imran Khan’s family.
The party emphasized that Aleema Khan is being targeted solely for supporting her brother and amplifying his message to the public. They described her as a dignified and courageous woman, reaffirming their unwavering support.